Insert device for air-cooling in hats and helmets

ABSTRACT

A self contained, battery operated fan device that inserts inside a hat or helmet. The device blows air across the head of a wearer, thereby providing evaporative cooling that can reduce the temperature inside the hat or helmet, make the wearer feel more comfortable when operating in a hot environment, and reduce the potential for heat stress for the wearer. Also, because the airflow produced by the insert blows down all around the head of the wearer of the hat or helmet, it helps to blow smoke or dust away from the user&#39;s face.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/808,676 that was filed on Apr. 5, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

2. Description of the Related Art

At this time, there is no similar device that can be separately inserted into the top of a hat or helmet and generate airflow to provide evaporative cooling on the head of the wearer and assist in preventing dust or smoke from reaching the face of the wearer.

The present invention addresses this need for air-cooling in hats and helmets by producing evaporative cooling for any wearer of a hat or helmet. The insert can fit in a very wide range of hard hats, bump caps, and firemen's helmets. It can even be installed in straw hats for those who want the cooling while out in the sun for recreational activities. Furthermore, the insert has the additional advantages for employers who provide this insert to workers in hot environments since the evaporative cooling can reduce the potential for heat stress. It may also improve performance and productivity since the workers are more comfortable for the day.

Although the invention is described as containing at least one battery or a battery pack, the invention is not so limited and a separate compartment holding direct current batteries that produces the required voltage and having the proper wiring and plug tip can be used to operate the insert. This separate compartment could be worn on the belt or in the pocket of the wearer of the hat or helmet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device that inserts and installs inside a hat or helmet that blows air across the head of the wearer and thereby provides evaporative cooling.

The primary advantage of this insert device is that after installation in a hat or helmet and after the device is turned on, the insert generates airflow on the head of the wearer. This produces evaporative cooling that can reduce the temperature inside the hat or helmet which then can reduce the potential for heat stress for the wearer.

The present invention offers several advantages for air-cooling in a hat or helmet. With the airflow that is generated, the wearer will feel more comfortable when operating in a hot environment or when out in the sun. Less heat on the head of the wearer can both reduce the potential for heat stress and can promote more productivity for workers wearing a hard hat or helmet with the insert device installed.

Also, the airflow produced by the insert blows down and all around the head of the wearer of the hat or helmet. If the wearer must use a face shield attached to the hat or helmet, this airflow will help blow smoke or dust that could come up inside the shield away from the user's face.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the present invention showing the elements and their placement.

FIG. 1B is a bottom plan view of the invention of FIG. 1A shown installed in a hard hat.

FIG. 2A is a bottom plan view of a frame for an alternative or second embodiment with no elements installed.

FIG. 2B shows a diagram of the layout of components for the alternative embodiment showing with all of the elements in place.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 2B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A first preferred embodiment of the insert is illustrated in FIG. 1A (exploded view) and FIG. 1B (bottom plan view as installed in a hard hat). This embodiment of the insert has a rigid frame 1 on which the various parts are assembled. The frame 1 is injected molded in special molds using polyethylene, polypropylene of similar plastic material.

There is a fan outlet hole 14 in the frame 1 for the fan 3, a switch hole 15 in the frame 1 for an off and on switch 4, a battery recharger plug hole 16 for a battery recharge plug 5, and two battery compartments 8 for the batteries 2. There are also attachment tabs 7 on the frame 1 which are used to attach the frame 1 inside the hat or helmet 12.

During assembly of the insert, the direct current fan 3 which generates the airflow is securely attached to the rigid frame 1. Then, the off and on switch 4 and the recharger plug 5 are mounted by inserting them into their respective holes 15 and 16. Positive battery terminals 10 and negative battery terminals 11 are then securely attached to the frame 1. The next step in the assembly process is to properly attached the connection wire 6 to the various electrical contact points of the fan 18 and 19 and to the off and on switch 4, the recharger plug 5 and the battery terminals 10 and 11 to produce the complete electric circuit.

After assembling the insert with all of the parts, the batteries 2 should be properly placed in the battery compartments 8 that are located adjacent to the fan 3. Positive and negative electric symbols are molded on the frame 1 to show the proper orientation for the batteries 2 as they are place in the compartments 8. After installing the batteries 2, a battery cover 9 is securely attached to each battery compartment 8.

The final process step is to attach adhesive or self gripping hook and loop fastener strips to the tabs 7 for attachment to the hat or helmet 12. The insert is now ready to be placed in a hat or helmet 12 using the adhesive or hook and loop fastener strips on the tabs 7 to secure the insert. The hat or helmet is not part of this embodiment as the insert is sold as a separate device. After securely installing the insert, it is ready to use by turning the off and on switch 4 before the user places the hat or helmet 12 on his or her head.

An additional second or alternative embodiment of the insert is illustrated in FIG. 2A, 2B, and 2C. In FIG. 2A, the shape of the rigid material frame 13 for the additional embodiment is shown. This also shows the location of the hole for the fan outlet 14, hole for the off and on switch 15, the hole for the battery recharger plug 16, the tabs 7 for attachment to the hat or helmet 12, and holes 17 in the tabs 7 for attachment of the alternative insert inside a hat. This rigid frame 13 is precisely cut from a sheet of thin material which can be made from polypropylene, polystyrene or other thin rigid material.

In FIG. 2B the location and layout of the components on the rigid frame 13 are shown. The fan 3 is centered and secured with adhesive over the hole for the fan outlet 14 and the four batteries 2 are securely attached with adhesive to the fan 3. The batteries are connected with connection wire 6 that goes from the positive end 10 of one battery to the negative end 11 of the next battery 2. The off and on switch 4 and the recharger plug 5 are then inserted in their respective holes 15 and 16.

The electrical circuit is completed by first connecting the positive current fan wire 19 to the negative terminal 11 of the battery 2. From this negative battery terminal 11, connection wire 6 is connected to the terminal on the recharger plug 5. The negative current fan wire 18 from the fan 3 is then attached to the terminal on the off and on switch 4.

The next assembly step is to use connection wire from the positive battery terminal 10 nearest to the off and on switch 4 to the negative terminal of the off and on switch 4. The final electrical connection is to use connection wire 6 to connect the negative terminal of the off and on switch 4 to the proper terminal on the recharger plug 5. After the electrical circuit is completed, all of the electrical connections and terminals are coated with a plastic or electrical tape compound that is commercially available. This coating is done to prevent any electrical leakage from the circuit. This very final assembly step is to apply adhesive or self gripping hook and loop fastener strips on the three tabs 7.

The assembled alternative insert is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 2C as it would appear after completed assembly.

After the final process step, the alternative insert is now ready to be placed in a hat or helmet using the adhesive or hook and look fastener strips on the tabs 7 to secure the insert. The hat or helmet 12 is not part of this embodiment as the insert is sold separately. After securely installing the insert, it is ready to use by turning on the off and on switch 15 before the user place the hat or helmet on his head.

While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of the components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for the purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An insert device for installation inside a hat or helmet comprising: a rigid frame attachable to a hat or helmet, said rigid frame provided with an opening for the flow of air over the top portion of the head of the person wearing the hat of helmet; and a fan attached to the frame for moving air over the top portion of the head of the person wearing the hat or helmet.
 2. The insert device of claim 1 further comprising: a means of selectively activating and deactivating the fan.
 3. The insert device of claim 2 wherein said means for selectively activating and deactivating the fan comprises: At least one battery operatively connected to the fan; and a switch operatively connected to the at least one battery such that the fan is selectively activated and deactivated upon movement of the switch between on and off positions.
 4. The insert device in claim 2 further comprising: an optional battery recharger plug functionally attached to said at least one battery to accept an external recharge adapter for the at least one battery.
 5. The insert device of claim 1 further comprising: at least three tabs extending out from the frame, and said tabs providing attachment means for attaching the insert device inside a hat or helmet.
 6. The insert device of claim 5 wherein the attachment means for attaching the insert device inside a hat or helmet is selected from the following list: adhesive, or self gripping hook and loop fastener strips. 